The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 07, 1994
Filed:
May. 15, 1992
Elwood E Barnes, Cochraneville, PA (US);
Thomas E Shuren, West Chester, PA (US);
David C Deaville, West Chester, PA (US);
Michael Chittleborough, Binfield, GB;
Mars Incorporated, McLean, VA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for reducing vandalism and minimizing damage from liquids injected into apertures of a vending machine is described. An anti-salting module, having a housing with an integral tray for collecting liquids, is connected beneath a bill validator in a vending machine A rubber fillet is connected to the rear of the bill validator and directs injected fluids to the tray. A moisture sensor integral to the tray is connected to detection and control circuitry. When moisture is detected, the detection and control circuitry operates to interrupt power and control signals to the bill validator. Other external sensors, such as a second moisture sensor and a continuity sensor for monitoring the status of other vending machine components, may also be connected to the detection and control circuitry. After moisture has been detected, vending machine power and control signals can be restored only when moisture is no longer present, and a SET switch is depressed by service personnel.